Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to Address U.S. Governors

WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) today announced Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will address the nation’s governors at their annual Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C.

“I am honored Prime Minister Turnbull will join us in Washington,” said NGA Chair Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval. “International cooperation and economic development are two key themes of the NGA Winter Meeting this year, so the prime minister’s participation is especially relevant.”

“More than 10,000 Australian companies sell to or operate in the United States and more than 300,000 American jobs are supported by exports to Australia. I look forward to further deepening and broadening the relationship between Australian and American states, particularly through innovation, infrastructure, education and employment,” said Turnbull.

This year approximately 40 governors from across the country will gather in the nation’s capital to discuss critical topics such as the intersection of innovation and international partnership, emerging technology in the energy and transportation sectors, and economic development and the future of work.

Prime Minister Turnbull will deliver the opening keynote address to governors at the meeting on Saturday, Feb. 24. Turnbull, who took office in September 2015 and is in his second term, is the 29th prime minister of Australia. He has made trade one of his priorities as prime minister, creating new export opportunities for Australian businesses, farmers, services and manufacturers that support economic growth and create new jobs.

He will be joined by an Australian delegation that includes Australian Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, West Australian Premier Mark McGowan, Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner, as well as senior Australian business leaders.

2018 marks 100 years of “mateship” between Australia and the United States. The anniversary commemorates the 100th anniversary of the World War I Battle of Hamel, where Australian and American soldiers first fought together for the first time, under the command of Australian General Sir John Monash. Since then, Australia and the United States have fought side by side in every major conflict of the 20th and 21st centuries. To learn more about the mateship anniversary, click here.

The Australian Embassy will host governors for their annual Winter Meeting Reception on Friday, Feb. 23.

To view photos and video from the 2018 NGA Winter Meeting, as well as news and other content, click here. Major sessions from the meeting, including the prime minister’s address, will be livestreamed.